Designer
Niki Mahajan Returns to the Couture Ramp with a Collection that Brings out the
magic of the Nawabs
Bringing the grandeur,
glamour and the craftsmanship from the land of the Nawabs, ace designer Niki Mahajan showcased her new couture
collection at hotel Le Meridien, as she marked her return to the Couture ramp.The
five segments of this collection which the show was divided into, namely-
Ecru-Birth, Jewel-Adolescence, Vermilion-Wedding, Vintage-Exile, Noir-Death,
each took inspiration from a different phase of the life of Begum HazratMahal
and intricately brought out the finer aspects of her life and journey.
Niki takes her inspiration
from a Woman who stood her ground when all else fled. Her collection emphasized
the fine art of Badla and Mukaish and was also inspired by the Begum’s
personality.
In the starting of the show she used white, ivory and pastel blues
to depict Hazrat’s childhood and innocence. The latter half had a more sombre
mood that depicted the phase of her life when she rebelled and then was exiled.
In the end she uses a lot black which also highlights the fine Badla work, the
essence of her collection. Through this collection she has reinvented the art
of Badla and is hoping the show will help in reviving and promoting this age
old craft from Lucknow.
Walking the ramp in amaroon
velvet long coat with exquisite Badla work is the very stylish yet elegant
actress, Neha Dhupia, who looked nothing
but stunning and royal.
Speaking about her show
& the collection, Niki said, “My collection is intended to be an ode to
Begum Hazrat Mahal. While she was an incredibly traditional and graceful queen
she sets an example for today’s generation through her fearless warrior
attitude. That is what is showcased through my work as well. It stays true to
tradition by focusing on fine Indian arts such as badla, Mukaish and
Chickenkari in a strong, contemporary way through the designs. The show has
been a thorough success which has motivated me further to continue creating
designs with a unique inspiration.”
The set beautifully done up
in a vintage manner with a balcony, old jharokhas, windows &furniture
further recreated the look of Lucknow, reminiscent of the olden times.
About the Collection
Awadh…the
land of the Nawabs. From this erstwhile kingdom Niki weaves a tale of a
beautifully hand crafted collection. A collection that is timeless and eternal.
Using over 200 techniques of handwork these ensembles are a glorious
amalgamation of exotic embroideries, delicate woven rich silks, innovative
styling and a colour palette reminiscent of antique vintage paintings. The stories weave its way into five different
segments. Each collection is distinctive with its own unique colour palette,
fabric, style of embroidery and styling.
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